Country explorer: Syria
EXPERIMENTAL
2024
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Overview
Syria is a war-torn, low-income country in the Middle East with a medium-sized population. Its economy has declined in recent decades, and is based on agriculture, oil and textiles.
Syria entered a complex [civil war](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_civil_war) following Arab Spring protests in 2011. The civil war is ongoing, though front-line fighting ceased following the 2020 Idlib ceasefire.
Economy
Syria has experienced a sharp decline in economic indicators such as GDP per capita and a dramatic rise in poverty and inflation, reflecting a significant economic downturn and societal distress, setting it apart from regional peers and aligning more closely with conflict-affected and low-income country profiles.
Demographics
Syria's demographic landscape has been profoundly transformed by its civil war, initiated by Arab Spring protests in 2011. This conflict has led to sudden population decrease, driven by mass migrations and casualties, and a drop in life expectancy, setting it apart from its peers.
Basic needs
Syria has experienced a notable decline in access to basic needs such as clean cooking fuels and electricity, reflecting the profound impact of conflict and economic disruption, setting it apart from regional trends of steady improvement in these areas.
Human development
Syria has experienced a significant decline in human development indicators, as illustrated by a decrease in the Human Development Index, an increase in child mortality during the conflict period, and fluctuations in literacy rates, setting it apart from a general trend of improvement seen in neighboring countries.
Environment & energy
Syria has experienced significant environmental and energy shifts, notably through a marked reduction in per capita CO₂ emissions, variable renewable energy production with slow growth in bioenergy and limited advances in solar and wind energy, a dramatic decrease in per capita renewable freshwater resources, and a gradual increase in forest area, embodying a complex tapestry of conflict, climate pressures, and attempts at environmental sustainability distinct from its Middle Eastern counterparts.
Technology & innovation
Syria has shown gradual but consistent growth in internet use and mobile phone subscriptions, while its research and development spending has remained negligible and its scientific outputs per capita have shown modest increases, reflecting resilience and adaptation despite enduring conflict and economic challenges.
Culture & society
Syria has experienced profound societal transformations, characterized by an increased share of foreign-born population, declining self-reported life satisfaction, fluctuating gender inequality that remains high, and a variable age dependency ratio reflecting demographic shifts, distinguishing it from its regional peers with its extensive humanitarian and socio-economic challenges.
Governance
Syria has experienced marked deteriorations in rule of law, corruption perception, political civil liberties, and press freedom, distinguishing it with some of the lowest governance and freedom indicators in comparison to its regional peers and low-income countries globally.